The Palmetto Artisan Program, a week-long, after-school entrepreneurship class, has won first place in the US Conference of Mayors’ city livability awards. Palmetto roses are created from Palmetto Tree fronds and are a recognizable art form in Charleston.

The program was developed after residents and officials complained about children selling palmetto roses, so in 2007, the City of Charleston created the program. To teach worthwhile business practices and promote their talent in a positive way, middle- and high-school students learn lessons in customer service, marketing techniques and social skills at the class. The kids also get snacks, mentoring and free palmetto fronds. Upon graduation from the program, youths are permitted to sell palmetto roses.

To read the whole story from Post & Courier, click here.

Next Generation Consulting (NGC) has announced its “Next Cities” rankings, and Charleston has been named #2 for Mighty Micros (100,000 – 200,000 population). The “Next Cities” index lists the best places to live and work for young professionals  in three population categories.

NGC has studied the residential and relocation patterns of 20-40 years olds since 1998, and has developed a one-of-a-kind indexing system that evaluates a city based on the assets that are important to next gen workers. According to NGC, the seven indexes of a “Next City” are:  Earning, Learning, Vitality, Around Town, After Hours, Cost of Lifestyle, and Social Capital. 

NEXT CITIES RANKED BY POPULATION
Mighty Micros – Next Cities with Population of 100,000-200,000

1.  Fort Collins, Colorado
2.  Charleston, South Carolina
3.  Eugene, Oregon
4.  Cedar Rapids, Iowa
5.  Springfield, Illinois
6.  Cary, North Carolina
7.  Ann Arbor, Michigan
8.  Sioux Falls, South Dakota
9.  Pueblo, Colorado
10.  Gainesville, Florida
11.  Stamford, Connecticut
12.  Des Moines, Iowa
13.  Spokane, Washington
14.  Syracuse, New York
15.  Huntsville, Alabama
16.  Peoria, Illinois
17.  Springfield, Missouri
18.  Salt Lake City, Utah
19.  Richmond, Virginia
20.  Hampton, Virginia

View the entire list of “Next Cities” here.

North Charleston’s Park Circle neighborhood has earned placement in the list of “Best Neighborhoods in America” in the Southeast in Men’s Journal.

Here’s what they said about Park Circle, which is a cute neighborhood located off East Montague Avenue in Olde North Charleston…

“Left-leaning Park Circle, in the north, has long flown under the radar in the state, and while development tends to change a place, its recent housing boom has left its liberalism intact. Sure, there are lots of new residents, but they seem to have the same unique, character-driven, fun-loving attitudes as the pioneers.”

To learn more about Park Circle, visit http://perfectlyparkcircle.com or http://www.myparkcircle.com/.

Mmm… once again our culinary treasures have earned top rankings from the James Beard Foundation! THREE of our local chefs in Charleston have been named Finalists in this year’s awards. Mike Lata of FIG Restaurant and Bob Waggoner of Charleston Grill won in the Best Chef in the Southeast category, while Sean Brock of McCrady’s took top honors in the Rising Star Chef of the Year award (given to amazing talent 30 years or younger). We agree!

Never underestimate the power of food. Also, on that note kudos to the Food + Wine Festival folks who brought in an amazing 2,000 more people then last year and sold out ALL of the events! P.S. the three aforementioned stellar chefs played roles in this year’s festival…they’re on to something!

Every time I turn around it seems Charleston appears on another “top” list. And, guess what folks… we’ve done it again. Our beautiful community has been highlighted by Outside Magazine as the “Best Big City” on the East Coast!! It seems the secret is definitely out. We’re among an impressive list of some of the nation’s major metropolitans… Atlanta, Boston, Minneapolis, Tucson and Portland.

The article reads:

“Culture is both old and new in this 337-year-old port city: Look for homegrown products like aged cigars and black tea, plus a burgeoning design scene and the new Art Institute of Charleston.”

So, how could one of the nation’s “Best Towns” not be inspiring? Just take a look around you and be reminded of how lucky we are to live in Charleston!

Jack’s Cosmic Dogs in Mount Pleasant and Ted’s Butcherblock in downtown Charleston were voted as “Top Insider Spots” for South Carolina in Travelocity’s 2007 edition of Local Secrets, Big Finds.

So if you’re thinking about stopping by either place, get in line… these favorite local spots are about to be discovered! Eat up!

CNN.com and Travel & Leisure are back again for 2007 in their quest to find America’s favorite city.

Charleston is one of the 25 cities on the list you can vote for, so get out there and start voting, Charleston!

You can also submit pictures, stories, and one-minute video essays if you’re so inclined.

Vote for America’s Favorite city here.

It’s no hidden secret that Charleston boasts of history, culture and beauty… but, recently national publications have been recognizing our region for much, much more. Take our business environment, community assets and world-class amenities; everything from five-diamond resorts to internationally-renowned festivals… we have a lot to be proud of. Check out this diverse list (just to name a few):

• Best of the Best/Destination of the Year by BestWeekends
• New American Dream Towns by Outside
• Charleston ranked 4th Best City in America by Travel + Leisure
• Hottest Cities for Entrepreneurs by Entrepreneur
• Charleston named a Top Art Destination by American Style Magazine
• “America’s 50 Hottest Cities” for business expansion by Expansion Management

So whether you’re enjoying our finest restaurants and entertainment or creating strategic plans for your next business venture, you’re doing so in an award-winning environment… all the tools necessary to getinspired.